In pictures: from film to smartphone – how Hong Kong has been photographed through the decades
A look back at how locals and visitors alike documented their days in Hong Kong from the age of film to the day of the smartphone
Before digital screens offered instant previews, taking photographs was an exercise in patient precision. Miscalculating exposure or framing – or later in the process, mishandling rolls of film – could ruin a cherished memory.
Through the 1960s and 70s, residents and visiting tourists alike rationed every shutter click, gradually shifting from classic black-and-white to vivid colour stock as film remained a costly luxury.
In the 90s, compact cameras – both still and video – became the norm, while shops across Tsim Sha Tsui did a roaring trade, with travellers seeking equipment that was often cheaper than at home.
Today, high-resolution smartphones deliver high-definition shots for effortless global sharing, yet many still cherish the warmth and surprise of film photography.